Alex Kantor
Student Status: Part-Time M.S., Sport Management 2nd year
Alma Mater: Skidmore College
Undergraduate Major: BS in Management & Business
Previous Work Experience: 2006-current - Amherst College Sports Information Director
Career aspirations: I would like to work in the front office of a professional soccer team, either in the US or Europe.
Dream job: GM for the New England Revolution
Why UMass?: UMass has a fabulous reputation for excellence in Sport Management, and provides me with a great opportunity while continuing to work full time.
Person most admired in the sports industry and why: Robert Kraft (Owner of NE Patriots and Revolution) because he has created an atmosphere of winning across two different leagues (the largest in the NFL, and smallest in the MLS) and has maximized the brand image of his teams.
Last book read, non-textbook: Fairways of Life, by Matthew E. Adams
Darren Bishop
Alma Mater: William and Mary
Undergraduate Major: Marketing
Previous Work Experience: Marketing Coordinator, Society for American Archaeology
Summer internship: Octagon, Athlete Marketing, Hockey Division
Career aspirations: Marketing for the National Hockey League
Dream job: GM of the Washington Capitals
Why UMass?: Extensive alumni network, experienced teachers, and the opportunity to earn both an MBA and an MS in Sport Management
Person most admired in the sports industry and why: Bill James, because he made sense of a sport largely ruled by superstition and changed the way people view the game
Last book read, non-textbook: The complete tales and poems of Edgar Allan Poe
Kelly Harris
Student Status: Second Year Dual Degree
Alma Mater: University of Virginia
Undergraduate Major: Commerce with a concentration in Marketing and Management
Previous Work Experience: Event Planning at Octagon for Nascar Events; Promotions for 5starhoops at the Final Four in Atlanta
Summer internship: New York Knicks, Marketing Department
Career aspirations: Promotions/Marketing/Event Management for Professional team
Dream job: Running a Sports Agency
Why UMass?: Strong reputation; impressive alumni network; Great opportunity to receive the two degrees I want for my career aspirations in two years.
Person most admired in the sports industry and why: Scott O'Niel. He was the VP of the NBA before the age of 40 and now works as the president of MSG Sports (Knicks, Rangers, Liberty). He is an extremely inspiring man that demonstrates the drive necessary to make it in the sports world. I was lucky enough to meet him this summer and could not be more thankful for that opportunity.
Last book read, non-textbook: The Five People You Meet in Heaven, by Mitch Albom
Parker Knox
Student Status: Second Year Dual Degree
Alma Mater: University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Undergraduate Major: Spanish and International Business
Previous Work Experience: Director of Client Services, Athlete Management Services (1 year), Corporate Account Executive, Dell, Inc.(2 years)
Summer internship: Assistant Sports Coordinator - World Transplant Games - Gold Coast, Australia
Career aspirations: To work for an international sports organization or the international division of an American sports organization in either marketing or event management.
Dream job: GM of the Dallas Cowboys or President of FIFA
Why UMass?: The reputation of the Sports Management program and its faculty combined with giving me the opportunity to obtain both an MBA and a Masters in Sports Management are what drew me to UMass. The location is also ideal for my interest in pro sports leagues, as the majority of professional leagues are headquartered in this area of the country.
Person most admired in the sports industry and why: Tony Dungy. His honesty, integrity, and belief in himself and his principles have made him one of the most successful figures in sports.
Last book read, non-textbook: Every Second Counts, by Lance Armstrong.
Evan Olesh
Student Status: Second Year Dual Degree
Alma Mater: Syracuse University
Undergraduate Major(s): Marketing and Finance
Previous Work Experience: The Gazelle Group; Dir. of Communications, IMG; Broadcasting Intern, NY/NJ MetroStars (currently NY Red Bulls); PR Intern, Syracuse University Dept. of Athletics; Game Day Intern
Summer internship: Major League Soccer, Operations Department
Career aspirations: To make a difference in the lives of others via the medium of sport.
Dream job: Commissioner of the NFL
Why UMass?: It is the top sport management program in the nation. With the combination of that and a great MBA program it was the perfect fit for me.
Person most admired in the sports industry and why: Don Garber. I think he has done a tremendous job thus far with Major League Soccer.
Last book read, non-textbook: Playing the Enemy
Denis Ostrovskiy
Student Status: Second Year Dual Degree
Alma Mater: Hunter College, New York, NY
Undergraduate Major: Psychology
Previous Work Experience: Research Analyst at Buzzback
Career aspirations: Helping to organize World Cup
Dream job: Sport Event manager for Arsenal FC
Why UMass?: Sport Management Program
Person most admired in the sports industry and why: Arsene Wenger , Intelligent coach and a good human being
Last book read, non-textbook: Master and Margarit,a by Bulgakov
Nicholas Reisman
Student Status: Second Year Dual Degree
Alma Mater: George Washington University
Undergraduate Major: Psychology
Previous Work Experience: 3 years at RSR Associates
Summer internship: Boston University Athletics, Marketing Department
Career aspirations: To work in some form of the Sports Industry, most likely in marketing.
Dream job: Director of marketing for a professional or college team.
Why UMass?: They have the best sports program in the United States.
Person most admired in the sports industry and why: I admire Tim Wakefield because he is always willing to sacrifice for his teammates. Also he is very big into charity, and uses his status to help children in need.
Last book read, non-textbook: Cicero
Wallis Romzek
Student Status: Second Year Dual Degree
Alma Mater: Bryn Mawr College, 2008
Undergraduate Major: Mathematics
Previous Work Experience: Sports Information Assistant, Bryn Mawr College, Marketing Intern, Shamlian Advertising
Summer internship: Athletic Department at the University of Kansas, Offices of Student-Athlete Financial Aid and Student-Athlete Development.
Career aspirations: College Athletics Administration
Dream job: Athletic Director for a Division I institution
Why UMass?: The dual degree was a great match for my professional goals.
Person most admired in the sports industry and why: Bill Self, for how he carries himself and represents the University of Kansas.
Last book read, non-textbook: A History of the English-Speaking Peoples, by Winston Churchill
Ryan Spalding
Student Status: Second Year Dual Degree
Alma Mater: Purdue University, BS; Stanford University, MS
Undergraduate Major: Aeronautical/Astronautical Engineering
Previous Work Experience: Software Engineer at Lockheed Martin for 3 years
Summer internship: Kansas City Chiefs, Sales & Marketing Department
Career aspirations: Work in the front office of an NFL team
Dream job: GM of the Miami Dolphins
Why UMass?: Because of the Dual Degree option, the excellent reputation of the sports management program, and the extensive alumni network within the industry
Person most admired in the sports industry and why: Ryne Sandberg, for his dedication and respect for the game of baseball, the city of Chicago, and the perpetually losing Cubbies.
Last book read, non-textbook: Angels & Demons, by Dan Brown
Brenna Dykta Vickless
Student Status: Second Year Dual Degree
Alma Mater: Allegheny College
Undergraduate Major: Communication Arts
Previous Work Experience: Four years of marketing experience, including three years in marketing and business development at prominent law firms in Washington, DC; one year of teaching English as a foreign language in Kos, Greece.
Summer internship: Octagon, Athlete Marketing, Hockey Division
Career aspirations: To work in marketing or community relations for a professional league or team.
Dream job: President of the Pittsburgh Penguins
Why UMass?: The high quality of the Sport Management program and the opportunity to pursue my MBA simultaneously.
Person most admired in the sports industry and why: Mario Lemieux. He overcame so many obstacles while playing hockey, stayed with one team for his entire career, and continued to stay extremely involved in the city and team after his retirement. He shows a level of class and loyalty rarely seen in the sports world.
Last book read, non-textbook: Franny & Zooey, by J.D. Salinger
